Alligator Creek
Household income at the 88.5th percentile nationally is the most striking fact about Alligator Creek, given that it sits in SEIFA disadvantage decile 2 on IRSAD. The paradox resolves in the employment data: 18.9% of workers are in Mining, the highest single sector, pulling weekly household income to $2,321 despite university qualifications at just 14.7%, which is 15.4 points below national. The suburb spans 78 km2 south of Mackay with 897 residents at a density of 11.5 people per km2, making it genuinely rural. Separate houses account for 92.7% of dwellings and 48.1% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, a profile that reflects larger landholdings and family-sized households averaging 2.9 people.
Population
1,550
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,404/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
13
Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 and mortgage-to-income sits at 21.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, so purchase affordability is genuine rather than illusory. Ownership rates are strong: 35.9% own outright and 53.6% carry a mortgage, leaving only 10.5% renting. Stock is almost entirely detached houses at 92.7%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 48.1% and 3-bedroom homes at 37.5%. That size profile suits families but limits options for downsizers or singles. Development activity is low at 6 applications in the past 12 months, mostly shed and carport approvals, signalling a stable rather than transforming market.
For Buyers
Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 and mortgage-to-income sits at 21.6%, below the 30% stress threshold, so purchase affordability is genuine rather than illusory. Ownership rates are strong: 35.9% own outright and 53.6% carry a mortgage, leaving only 10.5% renting. Stock is almost entirely detached houses at 92.7%, with 4-plus bedroom homes at 48.1% and 3-bedroom homes at 37.5%. That size profile suits families but limits options for downsizers or singles. Development activity is low at 6 applications in the past 12 months, mostly shed and carport approvals, signalling a stable rather than transforming market.
For Investors
A 10.5% renter share is thin by investment standards, limiting tenant demand. The 6.3% vacancy rate is elevated compared to healthy thresholds near 2-3%, pointing to more rental supply than current demand in this small rural suburb. Migration patterns show average net overseas arrivals of 66 people a year offset by net internal outflow of 64, meaning growth depends entirely on overseas migration. Population is forecast to grow slowly, reaching around 4,278 by 2031 on a medium scenario. The gentrification score is 0, so price appreciation tracks broader Mackay regional conditions rather than suburb-specific uplift.
Development Activity
Total DAs
13
Last 12 Months
13
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Alligator Creek iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Alligator Creek State School
Prep-6 · 287 students
Demographics
The median age of 37 is 3.0 years below the national figure, giving Alligator Creek a slightly younger skew despite an aging trajectory where the senior share rose 3.1 points over the decade. Only 6.7% of residents were born overseas, 14.9 points below the national proportion, producing a predominantly Anglo-Celtic community: English (300 residents), Scottish (103) and Irish (97) are the top three ancestries. University qualifications reach 14.7%, which is 15.4 points below national, consistent with a trade and machinery-oriented workforce. Average household size of 2.9 is 0.4 above national, and couples with children make up 52.8% of families, reflecting the family-oriented character of larger-lot living at this density.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 92.7%, with no meaningful apartment or semi-detached presence recorded. The dominant bedroom count is 4-plus at 48.1%, followed by 3-bedroom at 37.5%, skewed to larger homes more than the national average. Tenure sits at 35.9% owning outright, 53.6% on a mortgage and 10.5% renting. Mortgage stress is not a factor: the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.6% is well below the 30% threshold, and rent-to-income at 8.6% is very low, well below national averages, meaning housing costs consume a small share of incomes despite the area sitting in SEIFA disadvantage decile 2.
Mortgage / mo
$1,893
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$325
Census 2021
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$1,018
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
15.5%
Unoccupied
88
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
13.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.2%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.2%
Couples, no children
1,222
Total families
Economy & Employment
Mining is the dominant employer at 18.9% of workers (57 people), reflecting proximity to the Bowen Basin coalfields and Mackay's role as a mining services hub. Healthcare is second at 13.0% and Transport third at 10.6%, together with Construction at 9.3% completing a blue-collar and essential-services employment base. By occupation, Machinery and Drivers leads with 70 workers, followed by Professionals at 60 and Clerical/Admin at 50. The unemployment rate is 5.2% and the full-time rate among workers is 70.0%. Despite decile 2 IRSAD scores, household income sits at the 88.5th percentile nationally because mining wages elevate household-level earnings well above what qualification levels would predict.
Unemployment
2.8%
Labour Force
3,072
Unemployed
86
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
69.5%
Part-time
26.8%
Participation
59.3%
Employed
698
Occupations
Top Industries
University
27.3%
Postgraduate
7.6%
Born Overseas
12.1%
Dwellings
481
Transport to Work
Car dependency is near-total: 91.0% of residents drive to work and only 3.3% use public transport, typical for a suburb spanning 78 km2 at 11.5 people per km2. The suburb scores decile 2 on IRSAD nationally, placing it in the lower quintile for advantage, though this is partially offset by household incomes in the 88.5th percentile driven by mining employment. Volunteering sits at 15.1%, a meaningful indicator of community engagement for a population of 897. Only 3.4% of residents (27 people) require daily assistance. Housing stress is low, with mortgage-to-income at 21.6% and rent-to-income at 8.6%, both well below national stress thresholds.
Drive
92.7%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.39%/yr
(+19 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is modest at 0.51% annually, adding around 21 people a year, lower than many coastal Queensland suburbs. The 10-year change of negative 1.1% shows the suburb contracted over that window, consistent with the aging trajectory where the senior share rose 3.1 points and the young share fell 3.2 points. Medium-scenario forecasts put the broader SA2 population at 4,278 by 2031, up from 4,154 in 2025. Net internal migration is negative at 64 per year, offset by overseas arrivals of 66 annually. Real income growth was negative at 6.5% over the decade and rent declined 3.6%, both below the national trend of income growth. Affordability improved from 38.6% in 2011 to 32.3% in 2021, meaning housing became more manageable relative to incomes over time.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+38
Net Internal / yr
+8
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Alligator Creek compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alligator Creek a good suburb to live in?
Alligator Creek suits families and workers who prefer a rural lifestyle with large homes. Household income sits at the 88.5th percentile nationally despite SEIFA disadvantage decile 2, driven by strong mining sector employment at 18.9% of the workforce. Housing affordability is genuine, with mortgage-to-income at 21.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold.
What is the median house price in Alligator Creek?
Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167, and with household incomes at the 88.5th national percentile, mortgage-to-income sits at 21.6%. Weekly rent is $200 (2021 Census), implying a gross yield around 2.6% against that median.
What schools are in Alligator Creek?
Families use schools in nearby Mackay, approximately 15 km north. Local educational attainment is 14.7% university-qualified, which is 15.4 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting the trade and machinery-oriented employment base.
Is Alligator Creek safe?
Detailed crime rate data is not available for Alligator Creek in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 2 on IRSD nationally, indicating higher relative disadvantage compared to national benchmarks, though household income sits at the 88.5th percentile. Only 3.4% of residents (27 people) require daily assistance, and volunteering participation is 15.1%.
Is Alligator Creek good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. A 10.5% renter share is thin for rental demand, and the 6.3% vacancy rate is elevated above the healthy 2-3% range. Net internal migration is negative at 64 per year, so population growth depends on overseas arrivals averaging 66 annually. No gentrification activity is present, meaning returns track broader Mackay regional conditions.
How is Alligator Creek's population changing?
The suburb is growing slowly at 0.51% annually (around 21 people per year), but the 10-year change was negative 1.1%. Medium-scenario forecasts put the SA2 population at 4,278 by 2031, up from 4,154 in 2025. The age profile is shifting older, with the senior share rising 3.1 points and the young share falling 3.2 points over the past decade.
What industries employ people in Alligator Creek?
Mining is the top employer at 18.9% of workers (57 people), reflecting Mackay's role as a gateway to the Bowen Basin. Healthcare follows at 13.0%, Transport at 10.6%, Construction at 9.3% and Education at 7.3%. By occupation, Machinery and Drivers leads with 70 workers, consistent with the mining and transport employment base.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
Explore Alligator Creek on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map